IDSC Reviews Report of WB on Importance of Groundwater

The Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) of the cabinet has highlighted a report published by the World Bank (WB) entitled “Groundwater is Key to Protecting Global Ecosystems.”

According to IDSC, the report emphasized that groundwater accounts for nearly half of the global water extracted for domestic use and supports around 43% of all irrigation, thereby sustaining 38% of the world’s irrigated agricultural land.

"Less acknowledged is the role of groundwater in sustaining a variety of ecosystems that are crucial for livelihoods, especially in regions susceptible to climate change," the report said.

The report also noted that when underground water tables rise to the surface, life can thrive even in the driest areas.

Groundwater acts as a sanctuary during periods of drought, serving as a water reserve that supplies the necessary moisture for ecosystems to survive, even as precipitation diminishes. These ecosystems may include desert springs, mountain meadows, streams, coastal wetlands, and forests, which are often centers of global biodiversity, supporting rare and endemic species. Additionally, they are vital resources for rural communities, particularly pastoralists, who depend on the well-being of these ecosystems, as highlighted in the report.